- News of musician Joseph Jackson’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the June 2016 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the Michael Jackson’s father is alive and well.
UPDATE 05/06/2016 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Joseph Jackson death hoax spreads on Facebook
Rumors of the musician’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Joseph Jackson’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the American musician’s passing:
“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (June 03, 2016), our beloved musician Joseph Jackson passed away. Joseph Jackson was born on July 26, 1928 in Fountain Hill. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”
Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 87-year-old musician was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.
Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major American network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a musician of Joseph Jackson’s stature would be major news across networks.
A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (92%) of respondents think those Joseph Jackson death rumors are not funny anymore.
Joseph Jackson Death Hoax Dismissed Since Musician Is ‘Alive And Well’
On Saturday (June 04) the musician’s reps officially confirmed that Joseph Jackson is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He’s still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.
Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved musician. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.
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